Traverse City Record-Eagle

Acme

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January 5, 2009

Bill Boltres' lawsuit set to begin

By BRIAN McGILLIVARY

TRAVERSE CITY -- Former Acme Township Treasurer Bill Boltres' lawsuit against the Village at Grand Traverse developers is set to begin in earnest.

The suit had been mired for a year because of legal motions filed by the Village over Boltres' previously closed personal bankruptcy filing.

Bankruptcy matters were settled last week and Grand Traverse County Circuit Court Judge Philip Rodgers on Monday agreed to give lawyers more time to interview witnesses and review documents.

"Now the way is cleared for this case to begin an in-depth investigation into the involvement of the Village at Grand Traverse and its owners into Bill Boltres' personal and private life, and their involvement in Acme Township elections," said Boltres attorney Grant Parsons, of Traverse City.

Boltres is seeking $3 million from the Village, court records show.

Boltres filed for bankruptcy in October 2005, six months after he suffered a serious heart attack.

The bankruptcy court forgave Boltres' outstanding debts in 2006, but the case was reopened after Boltres sued Meijer Inc. more than a year later.

Boltres alleged stress from harassment and malicious lawsuits filed by Meijer Inc. and the Village at Grand Traverse over a proposed Acme Township development led to his heart attack.

In court documents, Parsons said extensive medical treatment for the heart attack put Boltres deeply in debt.

Meijer settled with Boltres in December 2007, after depositions in the lawsuit exposed the retailer's illegal manipulation of two township elections through citizen front groups it created. Settlement terms prohibited Boltres from revealing how much Meijer paid him.

Boltres filed suit against the Village in January 2008 and the development firm quickly purchased one of Boltres' bankruptcy debts in the amount of $15,032.

The lawsuit then was put on hold until the bankruptcy issue was resolved.

Boltres deposited $100,000 with the bankruptcy trustee, more than enough to pay all debts plus interest, court documents show. The Village, though, was able to delay debt repayment.

Parsons called the Village's purchase of the debt and objections to debt payments "corporate thuggery" and harassment.

Village attorneys responded in court briefs the debt was purchased to ensure the Village could participate in the bankruptcy court, "not to harass" Boltres.

The Village alleged in repeated motions filed with the court that Boltres' claim against it was an asset and only the bankruptcy trustee, not Boltres, could sue the Village.

Last week, and without explanation, the Village dropped those motions.

"Our strategy is ongoing," said Village attorney Steven Barney, of Petoskey.

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